Eddie Izzard

While the future of Eddie Izzard's brilliant FX drama The Riches may be up in the air (damn you, writers' strike!), his touring career is hotter than ever. Fresh from an extended, sold-out workshop run in New York (which I just saw), everyone's favorite executive transvestite is back on the road. Izzard's delivery is subtle, full of pantomime and improvised commentary. No show is the same. He's constantly adding and subtracting jokes on the fly. Seattle fans can expect to hear a hilarious summary of the entire history of world religion in just 10 minutes. The comedian will also ruminate on the travails of Wikipedia, the inanity of Harry Potter, and the general disappointment of lentil soup in this showcase of new material. During Izzard's last visit to Seattle, he played the Moore and joked the entire time about its lack of air conditioning. He's now in the comfier Paramount for Friday and Saturday nights only. The man sold out Radio City Music Hall three times over! Why isn't he staying in Seattle longer? (We hope he'll film another HBO special for repeated consumption, but for now you can catch his old shows on BBC America.) And don't forget to send a letter to FX urging them to keep The Riches on the air. Along with Friday Night Lights, it's the best show on TV you're not watching. The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 467-5510, www.theparamount.com. $42-$62. 8 p.m. FRANK PAIVA.